Executive Service Corp., an organization of retired executives led by Mr. Jerry Weissman, has been involved in different aspects of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science over the past two years. They have assisted in the creation of the Strategic Plan, in the hiring of the Director of Human Resources, the mock site review for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and other operational matters. We thank them, and the leadership of Ms. Mary O'Dell, president of UniHealth, for her support.

Recently, ESC was tasked with conducting interview with the new Board of Trustees to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the institution, refine the roles and responsibilities of board members and define goals and priorities for the institution. They bring years of experience to the process.

Since Nov. 1, 2010, the board has been reorganized into subcommittees as follows:

We will continue to implement best practices and improve our systems and processes to move the institution forward.

M. Roy Wilson, M.D., M.S.Chairman Board of Trustees

Library Launches Faculty Development Collection

The Health Sciences Library celebrated its latest trove of books. This time, for a wide range of journals and books that define its collection for faculty development. Over refreshments served in the new cafe, Kenneth Wolf, Ph.D., associate dean, College of Medicine spoke about the importance of having library space devoted to aiding faculty.

"This really is a statement as to faculty development has become a premium part of what we're doing," said Dr. Wolf said. "This is entrenched into the fabric of the university. The collection, he said, advances "the scholarship of teaching and learning."

The materials, more than 300 volumes in all, were donated by Laurie Richlin, Ph.D., who directs faculty development. She teaches academic bootcamps, a blueprint design for helping educators create well-designed courses. She has written on the subject and taught courses worldwide. At Charles Drew University over the past two-and-a-half years, she has begun teaching her 15th cohort. Her efforts have helped teachers work and students learn more effectively.

"I've worked with everybody here in trying to improve student learning," she said.

Dr. Gus Gill Described by Maxine Waters in a Speech for His Many Roles as an "icon"

Gus Gill, M.D. reminded the university earlier this month of its international role, in a way that only he can do. At a Marina del Rey hotel, he held a luncheon that highlighted the university's International Health Institute. The program, funded by the federal government, works to reduce global inequities among the poor and medically underserved. Launched in 1984, the institute was active India, China, South and Central America, Japan and other countries. "This is a part of who we are," said Dr. Gill, who currently serves as senior advisor to the president. The event was attended by about 40 people, including Richard Baker, M.D., dean and provost; Keith Norris, M.D., vice president for research and health and others, some of whom he recruited to work overseas for the institute.

Also, at a recent ceremony for the junior white coats in the Saturday Science Academy II, U.S. Rep Maxine Waters spoke about Dr. Gill during her speech to hundreds of children and their parents: "Gus Gill is an icon in this community," she said, as Dr. Gill seated a couple of rows from the podium, looked on. "He's a warrior. He's one of those unusual individuals who takes off his white coat and works with us. Thank you, Gus Gill, for all you've given to Charles Drew University and to the community." Dr. Gill, a distinguished surgeon and faculty member, chaired the university's Department of Otolaryngology for many years.

News in Brief

Student Government

Charles Drew Student Government has begun hosting a fundraiser in the Library Cafe. All proceeds will be donated to the annual student gift. Buy a donut for $1, or a toasted bagel with cream cheese for $1.50, and receive a free cup of tea or coffee. The breakfast is held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Become a Mission Maker Today

If you would like to donate to the Mission Maker campaign, which supports the university, its mission and its students, then please contact Blanch Ross. She can be reached at 323-563-4992, or at blanchross@cdrewu.edu.

Charles Drew University is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian, minority-serving medical and health sciences institution. Located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, Charles Drew University has graduated more than 550 medical doctors, 2,500 post-graduate physicians, more than 2,000 physician assistants and hundreds of other health professionals.The only dually designated Historically Black Graduate Institution and Hispanic Serving Health Professions School in the U.S., CDU is recognized as a leader in translational and health inequities research. Recently, the CDU/UCLA medical program was named “best performer” in the University of California System with respect to producing outstanding underrepresented minority physicians, according to the Greenlining Institute.